Abstract/Description

Corrugated bamboo roofing sheets

Notes

What are corrugated bamboo roofing sheets?
Corrugated bamboo roofing sheets (CBRS) are an excellent alternative to corrugated
asbestos, iron, plastic or zinc roofing sheets. They are produced from natural materials
and are attractive, durable and resilient to adverse weather conditions and pest attack.
They can be produced in a range of standard sizes and can be used to roof dwellings,
stores, animal pens and other buildings.
How are they produced?
CBRS are produced by pressing firmly together woven bamboo mats that have been
impregnated with an adhesive resin. The corrugations are formed by pressing them
between corrugated pressing plates in the pressing machine.
What is the market for corrugated bamboo roofing sheets?
The market for CBRS is somewhat variable in different regions of the world but depends
to a large extent on successful marketing strategies. CBRS is popular in rural areas where
the low prices are attractive. The potential to increase the use of CBRS in more affluent
areas is enormous, and there is considerable export potential in the markets of the more
affluent countries where their eco-friendly nature could be a major selling point.
What is the role of a corrugated bamboo roofing sheets unit in
rural development?
The unit itself will provide employment to a range of people and there will be extra
employment generation in its forward and backward linkages, such as cultivation and
harvesting of bamboos, primary processing, mat weaving, marketing and retailing. A unit
producing 500, 000 m2 of sheets per year will require a total workforce of over 200
people. The need for a sustainable supply of raw materials will encourage the proper
management of bamboo stands, and the establishment of new plantations, with their
associated environmental benefits.
How do I establish a corrugated bamboo roofing sheets-making
enterprise?
A corrugated bamboo roofing sheets manufacturing unit requires a regular supply of
bamboo mats, electricity, labour and access to markets. An enterprise with a capacity of
500, 000 m2 per year can be established for approximately USD $26, 000 in Vietnam but
costs will vary in other countries.